Preventive Care, radiation protection and quality controlModule The physics of instrumentation and devices
Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: ANNA MARIA GUELIExpected Learning Outcomes
The main objective of the lectures is the knowledge of the physics fundamentals of instrumentation useful to medical diagnostics and therapy.
Course Structure
Lectures and on going tests.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
X-rays diagnostics: X-rays radiation. X-ray tube. Production of X-rays spectra. X-ray absorption. Radiological imaging. The image intensifier.
Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine: Radioactivity. The radioactive law of decay. Use of radionuclides in medical diagnosis. Effective half-life. Scintigraphy.
Tomographic Images: The anatomical planes. Computed Tomography (CT). Single photon emission tomography (SPECT). Positron emission tomography (PET).
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Radio Waves. Gyromagnetic ratio and Larmor frequency. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Devices and Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems.
Radiation Therapy: The radiation dose. Therapeutic ratio. Conventional radiotherapy. Brachytherapy and radiometabolic therapy. Radiotherapy with external beams. The LINAC.
Textbook Information
[1] Lascialfari A., Borsa F, Gueli A.M., Principi di fisica per indirizzo biomedico e farmaceutico, EdiSES, 2020
[2] Bellia G., Fisica per un anno, 21 spunti di conoscenza, Idelson Gnocchi, 2021
[3] Lecture notes provided during the course.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I raggi X in diagnostica medica | [1] Cap. 14; [2] Cap. 21; [3] |
| 2 | Diagnostica in Medicina Nucleare | [1] Cap. 14; [2] Cap. 21; [3] |
| 3 | Immagini Tomografiche | [1] Cap. 14; [3] |
| 4 | Immagini da Risonanza Magnetica | [1] Cap. 14; [3] |
| 5 | Radioterapia con radiazioni ionizzanti | [1] Cap. 14; [2] Cap. 21; [3] |
Learning Assessment
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
The oral examination mainly covers the following topics:
Basic physical principles of diagnostic techniques using X-ray and nuclear radiation.
Image formation in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
Interaction of radiation with matter and radiation damage. Dose measurement methods.
Block diagram and principles of operation of instrumentation used in radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.